A closer look at diagnostic dental examinations in Alpharetta, GA

Oral health is a journey. The staff at Bella Hanono Family Dentistry, we aim to make this journey as pleasant, comfortable, convenient, worthwhile, and meaningful as possible. No “partnership” with our patients would be complete without diagnostic dental examinations. It is standard to schedule these “check-ups” twice a year. However, Dr. Hanono may recommend more frequent visits to our office in Alpharetta, GA if you have risk factors for periodontal disease (gum disease), tooth decay, or mouth cancers. Additionally, if active disease is present, we’ll monitor how interventions and treatments are working to resolve that problem.

A closer look at dental examinations

During routine appointments, Dr. Hanono will visually assess the health of your teeth, gums, and associated oral structures. She will also gently feel for lumps, bumps, and other abnormalitiessuch as color lesions which may be indicative of oral cancers. What can’t be detected upon visual inspection or by feel (“palpating”), will be identified with sophisticated diagnostic technologies. Our imaging allows us to pinpoint even the most subtle signs of early-stage decay or disease, as well as “hidden” decay that can’t be seen with the naked eye. By detecting conditions such as enamel erosion or gum inflammation, we can make non-invasive and conservative recommendations to quickly and easily halt the progression of decay and disease. Additionally, recommended modifications like adjustments to oral hygiene and oral care products, preserve natural tooth structure and promote remineralization of the teeth and healthy attachment of the teeth to the gums.

The effects of active gum disease can be reversed if caught and addressed in its earliest stages. We use specialized dental tools to monitor the health of the gums. The sticky bacterial film irritates the gum tissue and erodes the structure of the teeth, starting from the outside of the tooth and working its way inward to the center (pulp). If bacteria, plaque, and hardened tartar are allowed to flourish without treatment, spaces or pockets form between the teeth and the gums that support them. We measure those spaces during your visits. The larger the space, the more advanced the stage of gum disease.

Standard professional cleanings during your six-month visits remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth and at the gumline. Depending on the extent of the gum disease that is present, we may recommend a “deeper” clean to reduce the pockets between your teeth and gums. By removing bacterial plaque and tartar from below the gumline, and smoothing the roots of the teeth, we encourage healthy reattachment of the gums to the teeth.

If you are at risk of developing the leading causes of tooth loss (dental decay and periodontal disease), we may also suggest preventive services such as dental sealants. These thin coverings are placed on decay-prone back teeth, to “seal out” harmful bacteria and food debris that tends to become trapped within grooved surfaces.

Care is designed around you and your unique needs. Contact us today to schedule your visit.